Method of removing a liquid from the surface of molten metal



April 14, 1925. 1,533,885

J. S. MORGAN METHOD OF REMOVING A LIQUID FROM THE SURFACE OF MOLTEN METAL Filed June 1, 1922 w E o O ai (70% [fin/671 70271071,

Patented Apr. 14, 1925.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN. STANLEYMORGAN, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

METHOD OF REMOVING A LIQUID FROM THE SURFACE OF MOLTEN METAL.

Application filed June 1,

Be it known that 1, JOHN STANLnv'Moncan, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing in London, England, have invented a certain new and useful Method of Removing a Liquid from the Surface of Molten Metal, of which the following is a specification.

In processes of heat treatment by means of a bath of molten metal, such as the distillation of liquids or the drying of filsiblc solids. it is often desirable to remove com-,

pletely and rapidly the residual liquid from the surface of the molten metal.

To do this without at the same time rei'i'ioving metal also, is not easy.

The usual method of removing a liquid is to let it flow over a weir. This necessitates a definite depth of liquid on the molten bath. In some cases it is necessary to pass only a thin film of the liquid through the bath of metal. and in these cases the use of a weir is not practicable. Bv the present invention even a thin film of liquid may be reinoi-ed from the surface of the metal without at the same time removing the latter.

According to this invention, the liquid is picked up from the surface of the molten metal by a revolving drum, disc or the. like from which it is scraped so as to flow or fall into a discharge pipe or gutter.

The drum or d sc may be partially itamersed in the molten metal or it maybe supported at such a level that the. revolving surface just clears the surface of the molten metal. while dipping into the liquid which is to be removed.

That a rotating drum or disc will pick up liquid in contact with which it revolves is of course known, but the removal of liquid from the molten metal in this manner could not be foreseen. The present invention applies the tendency which the revolving surface has to retain the liquid and to reject the metal globules which are mixed with the liquid, or, if the surface is immersed, to reicct the n'ictal which adheres to the surface as it emerges from the molten metal. lt is not a matter of indifference in all cases what is the nature of th revolving surface. Thus in the case of molten lead or leadalloy.

to which the invention is more particularly 1922. Serial No. 565,105.

, applicable, a non-metallic surface, especially i in the form of a. number of discs n'iountcd on a common axle, and Fig. 3 is a part plan of Fig 2.

Referring to Fig. 1, the trough (7, contains molten lead Z) on the surface of which is a liquid that it is desired to remove. The drum 0 rotates on its axis in the direction indicated by the arrow and is partially immersed in. the molten lead. The liquid which adheres to the drum is scraped from the surface by the edge of the inclined plane (l which constitutes the bottom of a trough for discharging the liquid. T he drum is preferably made of steel having a silica sheathing.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the discs 6 are keyed to the shaft 7. The scrapers g are placed between the discs and are of such width that each scrapes two faces, namely one face of one disc and the opposed face of the next disc.

Having thus described the nature of the said invent-ion and the best means I know of carrying the same into practical. effect, I claim v 1. A. method ofcon'ipletely and rapidly removing a liquid material from the surfaceof a molten metal, such as lead, so as to avoid or minimize the simultaneous removal of metal, which consists in revolving a body having; a surface which is a figure of revolution, with part of the said si'lrface immersed beneath the level of the liquid and removing the material from the surface of the said. body at a part thereof which is not immersed. v

2. Apparatus for removing a liquid from the surface of amolten metal comprising a body having a. non-metallic surface which is a figure of revolution. an axle on which the said body is mounted to revolve and which is so placed that a part of thesaid surface is imn'iersed in the molten metalyaud a scraper in contact with the said surfzjicc on that side thereof which is the descending side when the body revolves.

3. Apparatus for removing a liquid from the surface of molten lead comprising" a body having a silica surface which is a igure of revolution, anaxle on which the said body is lllOUni-QCliO revolve and which is so placed that a part of the said surface is lU1- niersed in the molten lead, and a scraper in Contact with the said surface on that side thereof which is the descending side when the body revolves.

In testimony whereof I have signed my l name to this specification.

JOHN STANLEY MOM JAN. 

